So wait im confused... does this mean if i start my ss benefits in January too, I can work all of December without any impact? What if I'm only 63 though? Is there a special rule just for people turning 65 in December or does this apply to everyone?

Thank you all for the responses! I called SSA this morning using that Claimyr service someone mentioned (got through in about 3 minutes!) and confirmed that I can indeed work through December without it affecting my January payment. The representative explained that since December 2024 and January 2025 are in different tax years, they're treated separately. I'm going to work through December as planned and will start receiving my retirement benefits in January. Since I'm fully retiring at that point, I won't have any earned income in 2025 that would trigger the earnings limit. I appreciate everyone's help in understanding this confusing topic!

To address your question about what happens when your pension runs out: Under GPO rules, if your pension stops, the offset should stop as well. This is different from WEP, which generally continues even if your pension ends.When your pension payments end, you need to notify SSA immediately with proof that you're no longer receiving the pension. At that point, they should recalculate your spousal benefits without the GPO reduction. Make sure to keep documentation showing your pension has ended.If your pension is paid as a lump sum rather than monthly payments, SSA will calculate what the monthly amount would have been and apply the offset as if you were receiving monthly payments. Regarding your 403b specifically - some confusion might exist because 403b plans can be structured different ways. If your 403b was truly a pension from non-covered employment (no SS taxes paid), then GPO applies. But if it was more like a savings plan similar to a 401k where you contributed your own money, different rules might apply.This is definitely worth reviewing with SSA to ensure they've categorized your retirement plan correctly.

Thank you SO much for this information! This gives me some hope that at least when my pension runs out, I might get my full spousal benefit. I'll definitely keep documentation about when my pension ends.And you've given me another avenue to explore - my 403b was partly my contributions and partly employer contributions. I need to verify if SSA is treating it correctly. I'll gather all my pension documentation before calling them.I can't thank everyone enough for all this guidance. I feel much better equipped to address this situation now.

wait i'm confused...doesnt the 10 year rule only apply if ur divorced? if ur actually married when they die dont u get survivors benefits regardless of how long u were married? or am i thinking of something else

Thanks everyone for all this helpful information! One last question - does anyone know if I need to go to the Social Security office in person to apply for survivor benefits, or can I do it online? Their website is a bit confusing to navigate.

I was in a similar boat to u last year & honestly the BEST thing we did was just schedule an appointment at our local SSA office. My husband & I brought all our questions written down & the rep walked us thru everything step by step. Took about an hour but so worth it! Just be prepared for a long wait to get an appointment (took us like 3 weeks).

make sure u look at the tax situation too bc sometimes waiting doesnt help if ur gonna pay more taxes on the bigger benefit its all about whats left after taxes

just another way the govt takes our money. they should stop taxing retirement age people completey imo

One more thing to consider: Even though your continued contributions might not increase your monthly benefit, they're still supporting the overall Social Security system that you and others rely on. The system is designed so current workers support current beneficiaries, so your contributions are helping sustain benefits for everyone in the program.

Anyone know if the payment date on the award letter is when they send it or when ur supposed to get it? Mine said the 3rd but came on the 5th last month

Just wanted to follow up - did your payment show up yet? First payments sometimes take up to 5 business days to process through the banking system, especially if your bank has a hold policy for new direct deposits. For future reference, recurring Social Security retirement benefits are paid on the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Wednesday of each month, depending on your birth date. Since this is your first payment, it's on a different schedule, but going forward it will be more predictable.

Anybody else notice how these rules seem deliberately designed to be confusing? Like they WANT us to make mistakes and claim at the wrong time. Same with the earnings test and taxation of benefits. The whole system needs an overhaul!

To summarize what everyone's shared (and clarify some confusion): 1. Since your own benefit at FRA ($1,800) exceeds half of your partner's PIA ($1,375), you won't receive additional money from spousal benefits. 2. This means your claiming strategy should focus solely on optimizing YOUR retirement benefit timing. 3. Each year you delay claiming between now and 70 adds approximately 8% to your lifetime benefit amount. 4. The one-year marriage requirement doesn't impact your optimal strategy in this case. The decision ultimately comes down to: do you need the money now (claim early) or can you afford to wait for a larger monthly amount later (delay claiming)?

what's irmaa??? is that different from cola?

once i got random deposit from SS for $412 and it turned out they had calculated my benefits wrong for 3 months! but took them 5 months to tell me that lol. SS works in mysterious ways

my friend just went thru this and the social security office told her to definatley take hers early since her husband makes more. they said its free money while waiting for the bigger benefit later! but then again the goverment always gives different answers to everyone lol

To address your follow-up questions: Yes, you'd take your own reduced benefit at 64, then potentially get a spousal boost when your husband files at 70. However, some important clarifications: 1. The spousal boost would only happen if 50% of your husband's PIA (his benefit at his FRA) is greater than your own benefit at your FRA 2. Your husband's earnings while you're collecting won't reduce YOUR benefits (the earnings test only applies to the person who is both working AND collecting) 3. However, your combined income will affect how much of your Social Security is taxed Based on your comments about his high income, I'd suggest consulting with a financial advisor who specializes in Social Security claiming strategies. The taxation aspect might significantly impact the optimal decision in your case.

I know I'm late to this thread but wanted to chime in real quick. I'm a retired teacher from Illinois and I'm married to my husband who gets Social Security. I get ZERO from his record because of GPO, even though we've been married 42 years! It's just how the law works. The GPO and WEP (Windfall Elimination Provision) were created in the 1980s because Congress thought it was "unfair" for public employees to get both pensions AND Social Security. Supposedly they review these laws periodically but nothing ever changes.

Just a clarification on something important: If you didn't pay into Social Security, you didn't actually "earn" Social Security benefits on your own record. The GPO exists because the original Social Security spousal benefit was designed to help financially dependent spouses who didn't work outside the home. Since you have your own substantial pension, you don't fit the profile of who spousal benefits were intended to help. That said, it's still worth checking with SSA. Texas is one of the states with the highest number of affected teachers, so the representatives there are usually very knowledgeable about these specific situations.